Reverie of the Bestiaries

Ana Lekše

Into the world of the Bestiaries...

In a circular, translucent pavilion, surrounded by the audience, Ana Lekše blends aerial performance, hair- suspension, and shadow theatre into a dreamlike 360° experience. Inspired by medieval bestiaries – where real and mythical creatures share pages with moral fables – the piece follows a young girl’s journey into a world of wonder. Fantastical beings appear: not simply allies or foes, but reflections of her own fears, desires, and instincts.

Within the baldachin, light, shadow, and movement continuously reshape perception. The translucent structure becomes a living canvas, shifting between barrier and gateway, reality and illusion. Silhouettes emerge, dissolve, and transform, inviting the audience into a liminal space where imagination completes what is only partially seen.

In this realm, everyone perceives different creatures in the shadows — perhaps even the opposite of one another — opening space for empathy, ambiguity, and the questioning of certainties.

Author and performer: Ana Lekše

Lighting design: Benjamin Eugene, Raf Wouters

Music: David Roussel

Rigging: Johan Wuyts (Lyapunov)

Baldachin structure and turning platform: Joris Janssens (Cirque Mechanique)

Platform technical aid: Jose I. Castellitti

Shadow theatre external eyes: Irena Rajh & Anže Virant

Outside eyes: Hazel Lam, Danny Ronaldo

Costume and puppets: Ana Lekše

Production manager: Marie Cauwenberg

Production: Selena vzw

Co-production: CIRKLABO, Circus werkplaats Dommelhof